If you want an on-ear wired headset with adaptive ANC and call controls built around a moving boom arm for airplane work, choose EPOS Impact 860; if you need hybrid ANC with three settings and a USB-C/A adapter, choose PLT Poly Blackwire 8225. Both are wired, on-ear headsets aimed at calls and focused work, rather than true wireless earbuds for airplane travel.
• EPOS Impact 860: Adaptive ANC, AI adaptive microphones, and boom-arm call controls; the trade-off is a wired, on-ear design rather than a compact in-ear option.
• PLT Poly Blackwire 8225: Hybrid ANC with three settings, a noise-canceling microphone with Acoustic Fence technology, and USB-C/A connectivity; it also remains a wired, on-ear headset.
• Choose the EPOS if moving the boom arm to answer, end, or mute calls suits your work routine.
• Choose the Poly if you want to adjust among three ANC settings and use its separate call, mute, and volume controls.
• These are work headsets, not the best on ear headphones for airplane travel if your priority is a compact, cable-free setup.
The EPOS Impact 860 is an on-ear wired headset with active noise cancellation, USB-C connectivity, and a USB-A adapter. Its adaptive ANC is designed to help reduce distractions in open offices. That focus can also suit someone working through calls or laptop-based tasks in a busy shared space, including while traveling for work. It is not a wireless travel headset: the connection is wired, and the on-ear design is part of the package.
The headset’s AI adaptive microphones use beamforming, a feature intended to help keep your voice clear in noisy settings. For someone who spends a large part of the day in video meetings, VoIP calls, or customer-service conversations, microphone design matters as much as the listening side. The moving boom arm also doubles as a call control: raise or move it to answer, end, or mute a call. That is a distinctive fit for people who prefer a physical, easy-to-reach control rather than navigating software menus.
At 160 g, the EPOS is described as lightweight, and it comes with a carry pouch for moving between home and office. Its wired USB-C setup, USB-A adapter, and on-ear fit make it a practical work headset to consider when portability means carrying one headset between desks. The trade-off is that its provided details do not offer the Poly’s stated three ANC settings or a separate list of touch-accessible volume and mute controls.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-21 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
Who should skip it: Skip the EPOS if you specifically want an in-ear headset, a wireless connection, or multiple selectable ANC settings.
The PLT Poly Blackwire 8225 is another wired, on-ear headset, with USB-C connectivity and a USB-C-to-USB-A adapter. Its hybrid active noise cancellation has three settings, giving the wearer options for adjusting the ANC rather than relying on a single stated mode. That flexibility may appeal to someone who moves between different work environments and wants to choose an ANC level for the situation.
For calls, the Poly combines a boom microphone with noise-canceling microphone technology and Acoustic Fence. Its microphone is described as omnidirectional, while the Acoustic Fence feature is intended to help limit distracting background sound on calls. The headset also has controls for call answer and end, mute, volume, and ANC on/off. That spread of controls may suit someone who wants several call and listening adjustments available on the headset itself.
The ear speakers pivot 180 degrees, and adjustment markers help set the fit. Its ear cushions are made from synthetic leather, also described as faux leather in the product details. The package includes a protective case and a USB-C-to-USB-A adapter. Those features give the Poly a useful travel-friendly work setup, though the wired connection still means managing a cable. The provided details describe ANC settings and controls, but do not specify a microphone boom-arm movement that triggers calls in the way the EPOS does.
Who should skip it: Skip the Poly if you want call controls operated by moving the boom arm or are looking for a wireless or in-ear design.
• Best for choosing among ANC levels → PLT Poly Blackwire 8225. It specifies three hybrid ANC settings and an ANC on/off control.
• Best for a boom-arm gesture to handle calls → EPOS Impact 860. Moving the boom arm can answer, end, or mute calls.
• Best for headset-based call and volume controls → PLT Poly Blackwire 8225. Its listed controls include answer, end, mute, volume, and ANC on/off.
• Best for a microphone built around beamforming → EPOS Impact 860. Its AI adaptive microphones use beamforming to support voice clarity in noisy settings.
• Best for Acoustic Fence microphone features → PLT Poly Blackwire 8225. Its microphone system combines noise-canceling features with Acoustic Fence.
• Best for someone who wants an included carry pouch → EPOS Impact 860. A pouch is included for carrying the headset between work locations.
• Best for someone who wants a protective case and pivoting speakers → PLT Poly Blackwire 8225. Its package includes a protective case, and its speakers pivot 180 degrees.
My Verdict
For airplane work, I would choose the EPOS Impact 860 if calls and the moving boom-arm controls are my main priorities. Its adaptive ANC, beamforming microphones, and USB-A adapter make a clear work-focused combination.
I would choose the Poly Blackwire 8225 instead if I valued three ANC settings and separate volume, mute, and call controls more.
Neither is my pick for someone searching primarily for in ear headphones for airplane travel or a wireless setup.
My recommendation is the EPOS for a wired work headset that will travel between desks and support calls on the go.
Both headsets are on-ear and wired, so start by deciding whether those basics fit the way you work. Neither product’s listed details describe a wireless mode, and neither is an in-ear alternative. If your main goal is to pack small, move around without a cable, or find the best true wireless earbuds for airplane use, these models do not match that brief.
Consider your call habits next. The EPOS puts particular emphasis on adaptive microphones and a boom arm that can handle call actions when moved. The Poly provides a broader set of named controls, including volume and ANC on/off, and specifies three ANC settings. Think about whether you are more likely to adjust noise cancellation during the day or want quick physical call controls.
Finally, check which connector suits the device you plan to use. The EPOS is USB-C and includes a USB-A adapter; the Poly is also USB-C and includes a USB-C-to-USB-A adapter. Both include something to help with carrying or storage: a pouch for EPOS and a protective case for Poly. If you are comparing the current price, check the current price on Amazon rather than relying on an outdated figure.
Both are wired, on-ear headsets with active noise cancellation, so either could suit laptop-based calls while traveling. The EPOS lists adaptive ANC and beamforming microphones; the Poly lists three hybrid ANC settings and Acoustic Fence microphone features. Your call-control preference may help settle the choice.
Which headset has more ANC settings?
Both include an adapter for USB-A use. The EPOS includes a USB-A adapter with its USB-C headset, while the Poly package lists a USB-C-to-USB-A adapter.
Both are built for wired calls, but their control and microphone details differ. EPOS uses AI adaptive beamforming microphones and boom-arm call controls; Poly lists a boom microphone with Acoustic Fence features and separate answer, end, mute, and volume controls. Choose based on which set of features fits your call routine.
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